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NO. I. 



THE JOURNAL 



Major GEORGE WASHINGTON, 



SENT BY THE 



Hon. ROBERT DINWIDDIE 



COMMANDANT OF THE FRENCH FORCES IN OHIO, 



WITH A MAP. 




■ 

NEW YORK: 
REPRINTED FOR JOSEPH SABIN, 

1865, 



.8 
'7.5"3o6 



200 copies printed on small paper. 
50 copies on large paper. 



No. 



AA 



RIVERSIDE, CAMBRIDGE: 
PRINTED BY H. O. HOUGHTON AND COMPANY. 






THE 

JOURNAL 

O F 

Major George IVqJhington, 

SENT BY THE 

Hon. Robert Dinwiddie, Efq; 

His Majefty's Lieutenant-Governor, and 
Commander in Chief of Virginia, 

TO THE 

Commandant of the French Forces 

O N 

O H I O. 

To which are added, the 

Governor's LETTER: 

AND A 

Translation of the French Officer's Anfwer. 

WITH 

A New M a p of the Country as far as the 
MISSISSIPPI. 

fTILLIJMSBURGH Printed, 

LONDON, Reprinted for T. Jeferys, the Corner 

of St. Martin's Lane. 



MDCCLIV. 

[Price One Shilling.] 



Maps, Plans and Charts juft imported by 
Thomas Jefferys, Geographer to his Royal 
Highnefs the Prince of Wales. 

T E Indies Orientale, avec le cote de Coromandel, et 

^ l'Analife par M. D. Anville. 

Novelles Cartes de les Indies Orientale par M. D'apres 

de Mannivellette. 
Theatre de la Guerre in Italie par M. D'Anville, prem. 

Partie. 
Mappemende de M. Boulanfger avec fon Memoire, in 

Quarto. 
Memoire fur les nov. decouveiter de l'Amiral de Fonte, 

avec Cartes 
Confiderations Geographiques: in Quarto, avec 4 Cartes 

par M. Buache. 
Canada de Robert, 1753. 
Porter de France par Jalliot, 1754. 
Dekiles Atlas complete, large Paper and fmall. 
The German Atlas compleat by Homan. 
Atlas de France, 1751. 
The Chinefe Atlas by D'Anville. 

The Ruffian Atlas compiled and engraved at Peterfburgh. 
D'Anvilles's new Maps of Italy, North America, South 

America, Africa and the Eaftward Part of Afia 
Bellin's Sea Charts. 
Plan of Rome 

Venice 

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Environs of Paris, 9 Sheets 

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Speedily will be publijhed. 

A Map of the Seat of War in the Eaft Indies, 

with a Memoir, 



®y*ik& &^k^@ &flk<§ ©^^r© ®rAlk& ^Ak.-® e^ik^e Q-flk.^ frflk?® ©jfll^ *ft 



ADVERTISEMENT. 

A.S it was thought advifeable by his Hoiwur 
the Governor to have the following Ac- 
count of my Proceedings to aiidfrom the French 
on Ohio, committed to Print ; / think I can do 
no lefs than apologize, in fome Meafure, for tlie 
numberlefs Imperfeclions of it. 

There i7itervened but one Day between my Ar- 
rival in Williamfburg, a7td the Time for tlie 
Council's Meeting, for me to prepare and tran- 
fcribe, from the rough MintUes I had taken in 
my Travels, this Journal; the writing of which 
only was fufficient to e7nploy me clqfely the whole 
Time, confequently admitted of no Leifure to 
confult of a new and proper Form to offer it in, 
or to correct or amend the Diction of the old : 
Neither was I apprifed, nor did in the leafl con- 
ceive, when I wrote this for his Honour s Peru- 
fal, that it ever would be publi/Jied, or even have 
more than a ctirfory Reading', till I was in- 
formed, at the Meeting of the prefcnt General 
Affembly, that it was already in the Prefs. 

There is nothing can recommejid it to tlie 
Pttblic, btct this. Thofe Things which came 
tender the Notice of my own Obfervation, I have 

been 



Advertisement. 

been explicit and jujl in a Recital of: Thofe 

which I have gathered from Report, I have been 
particularly cautious not to augment, but col- 
lected the Opinions of the fever al Intelligencers, 
and felefled from the whole, the mofl probable 
and confiflent Account. 

G. Washington. 







JOURNAL, &c. 

Wednefday, Oclober 31/?, 1753. 

!8lliSlli WAS commiffioned and appointed 
(H j H3 by the Honourable Robert Dinwiddle, 
|8 p.. B| Efq ; Governor, &c. of Virginia, to 
W£v%3Bmi vifit and deliver a Letter to the Com- 
mandant of the French Forces on the Ohio, and 
fet out on the intended Journey the fame Day : 
The next, I arrived at Frederickfbiirg, and en- 
gaged Mr. Jacob Vanbraam, to be my French 
Interpreter ; and proceeded with him to Alex- 
andria, where we provided NecefTaries. From 
thence we went to Winchejler, and got Baggage, 
Horfes, &c. and from thence we purfued the 
new Road to Wills-Creek, where we arrived the 
14th of November. 

2 Here 



C 10) 

Here I engaged Mr. Gift to pilot us out, and 
alfo hired four others as Servitors, Barnaby 
Currin, and John Mac-Quire, Indian Traders, 
Henry Steward, and William Jenkins ; and in 
Company with thofe Perfons, left the Inhabitants 
the Day following. 

The exceflive Rains and vaft Quantity of 
Snow which had fallen, prevented our reaching 
Mr. FrazierS, an Indian Trader, at the Mouth 
of Turtle-Creek, on Monongahela [River] till 
Thurfday the 2 2d. We were informed here, 
that ExprefTes had been fent a few Days before 
to the Traders down the River, to acquaint them 
with the French General's Death, and the Return 
of the major Part of the French Army into 
Winter Quarters. 

The Waters were quite impafTable, without 
fwimming our Horfes ; which obliged us to get 
the Loan of a Canoe from Frazier, and to fend 
Barnaby Currin, and Henry Steward, down 
the Monongahela, with our Baggage, to meet us 
at the Forks of Ohio, about 10 Miles, there to 
crofs the Aligany* 

As I got down before the Canoe, I fpent fome 
Time in viewing the Rivers, and the Land in 
the Fork ; which I think extremely well fituated 
for a Fort, as it has the abfolute Command of 
both Rivers. The Land at the Point is 20 or 25 

* The Ohio and Aligany are the fame River. 

Feet 



( 11 ) 

Feet above the common Surface of the Water ; 
and a confiderable Bottom of flat, well-timbered 
Land all around it, very convenient for Building : 
The Rivers are each a Quarter of a Mile, or 
more, acrofs, and run here very near at right 
Angles : Aligany bearing N. E. and Mononga- 
hela S. E. The former of thefe two is a very 
rapid and fwift running Water; the other deep 
and ftill, without any perceptible Fall. 

About two Miles from this, on the South 
Eaft Side of the River, at the Place where the 
Ohio Company intended to eredt a Fort, lives 
Shingifs, King of the Delaivares : We called 
upon him, to invite him to Council at the Loggs- 
Town. 

As I had taken a good deal of Notice Yefter- 
day of the Situation at the Forks, my Curiofity 
led me to examine this more particularly, and I 
think it greatly inferior, either for Defence or 
Advantages ; efpecially the latter : For a Fort 
at the Forks would be equally well fituated on 
the Ohio, and have the entire Command of the 
Monongahela\ which runs up to our Settlements 
and is extremely well defigned for Water Car- 
riage, as it is of a deep ftill Nature. Beiides a 
Fort at the Fork might be built at a much lefs 
Expence, than at the other Place. — 

Nature has well contrived this lower Place, 
for Water Defence; but the Hill whereon it 

rauft 



( 12) 

mufl ftand being about a Quarter of a Mile in 
Length, and then defcending gradually on the 
Land Side, will render it difficult and very ex- 
pensive, to make a fufficient Fortification there. — 
The whole Flat upon the Hill mufl be taken-in, 
the Side next the Defcent made extremely high, 
or elfe the Hill itfelf cut away : Otherwife, the 
Enemy may raife Batteries within that Diftance 
without being expofed to a fingle Shot from the 
Fort. 

Shingifs attended us to the Loggs-T "own, 
where we arrived between Sun-fetting and Dark, 
the 25th Day after I left William/burg, We 
travelled over fome extreme good and bad Land, 
to get to this Place. — 

As foon as I came into Town, I went to Mo- 
nakatoocha (as the Half-king was out at his 
hunting-Cabbin on little Beaver-Cxzek, about 1 5 
Miles off) and informed him by John Davifon 
my Indian Interpreter, that I was fent a MefTen- 
ger to the French General ; and was ordered to 
call upon the Sachems of the Six Nations, to ac- 
quaint them with it. — I gave him a String of 
Wampum f , and a Twirl of Tobacco, and de- 
fired him to fend for the Half-King ; which he 
promifed to do by a Runner in the Morning, and 
for other Sachems. — I invited him and the other 

+ A kind of Indian Money ; alfo given as a Prefent or Mark of 
Friendfhip. 

great 



( i3) 

great Men prefent to my Tent, where they 
ftay'd about an Hour and return'd. 

According to the beft Obfervations I could 
make, Mr. Giff's new Settlement (which we 
pafs'd by) bears about W. N. W. 70 Miles 
from Wills-Creek ; Shanapins, or the Forks N. 
by W. or N. N. W. about 50 Miles from that ; 
and from thence to the Loggs-Town, the Courfe 
is nearly Weft about 18 or 20 Miles: So that 
the whole Diftance, as we went and computed 
it, is at leaft 135 or 140 Miles from our back 
Inhabitants. 

25^, Came to Town four or ten Frenchmen 
who had deferted from a Company at the Kuf- 
kujkas, which lies at the Mouth of this River. 
I got the following Account from them. They 
were fent from New-Orleans with 100 Men, and 
8 Canoe-Loads of Provisions to this Place; where 
they expected to have met the fame Number of 
Men, from the Forts on this Side Lake Erie, to 
convoy them and the Stores up, who were not 
arrived when they ran-ofF. 

I enquired into the Situation of the French, on 
the MiffiJJippi, their Number, and what Forts 
they had built. They inform'd me, That there 
were four fmall Forts between New-Orleans and 
the Black-IJlands, garrifon'd with about 30 or 40 
Men, and a few fmall Pieces in each : That at 
New-Orleans, which is near the Mouth of the 

Miffifjippi, 



(M) 

Miffijjippi, there are 35 Companies, of 40 Men 
each, with a pretty ftrong Fort mounting 8 Car- 
riage Guns ; and at the B lack-IJlands there are 
feveral Companies, and a Fort with 6 Guns. 
The B lack-IJlands are about 130 Leagues above 
the Mouth of the Ohio, which is about 350 above 
New-Orleans. They alfo acquainted me, that 
there was a fmall pallifado'd Fort on the Ohio, 
at the Mouth of the Obai/Ji about 60 Leagues 
from the Miffijipi, The ObaiJJt * heads near 
the Weft End of Lake Erie, and affords the 
Communication between the French on Miffif- 
Jippi and thofe on the Lakes. Thefe Deferters 
came up from the lower Shanoah Town with 
one Brown, an Indian Trader, and were going 
to Philadelphia. 

About 3 o'Clock this Evening the Half-King 
came to Town. I went up and invited him with 
Davifon, privately, to my Tent; and defir'd him 
to relate fome of the Particulars of his Journey 
to the French Commandant, and Reception there : 
Alfo to give me an Account of the Ways and 
Diftance. He told me, that the neareft and 
levelleft Way was now impaffable, by Reafon 
of many large mirey Savannas ; that we muft 
be obliged to go by Venango, and mould not get 
to the near Fort under 5 or 6 Nights Sleep, 
good Travelling. When he went to the Fort, 

* Or Wabajb, written by the French Ouabacb. 

he 



( i5) 
he faid he was received in a very ftern Manner 
by the late Commander; Who aflc'd him very 
abruptly, what he had come about, and to declare 
his Bufinefs : Which he faid he did in the fol- 
lowing Speech. 

Fathers, I am come to tell you your own 
Speeches ; what your own Mouths have declared. 
Fathers, You, in former Days, fet a Silver Ba- 
fon before us, wherein there was the Leg of 
a Beaver, and defird all the Nations to come 
and eat of it ; to eat in Peace and Plenty, and 
not to be churlifh to one another : And that if 
a7iy fuch Perfon fhould be found to be a Dif 
turber, I here lay down by the Edge of the DifJi 
a Rod, which you mufl fcourge them with ; and 
if I your Father, fJiould get foolifh, in my old 
Days, I defire you may ufe it upon me as well 
as others. 

Now Fathers, it is you who are the Diflurb- 
ers in this Land, by coming and building your 
Towns ; and taking it away unknown to us, 
and by Force. 

Fathers, We kindled a Fire a long Time ago, 
at a Place called Montreal, where we defired 
you to flay, and not to come and intrude upon 
our Land. I now defire you may dif patch to 
that Place ; for be it known to you, Fathers, 
that this is our Land, and not yours. 

Fathers, 



( 16 ) 

Fathers, I dejire you may hear me in Civil- 
nefs ; if not, we mufi handle that Rod which 
was laid down for the Ufe of the abflreperous. 
If you had come in a peaceable Manner, like our 
Brothers the Englifh, we fhould not have been 
againjl your trading with us, as they do; but 
to come, Fathers, and build Houses upon our 
Land, and to take it by Force, is what we 
cannot submit to. 

Fathers, Both you and the Englifh are white, 
we live in a Country between ; therefore the 
Land belongs to neither one nor t'other: But the 
Great Being above allowed it to be a Place of 
Refidence for us ; fo Fathers, I defire you to 
withdraw, as I have done our Brothers the Eng- 
lifh : For I will keep you at Arms length. I 
lay this down as a Trial for both, to fee which 
will have the greateft Regard to it, and that Side 
we willfland by, and make equal Sharers with 
us. Our Brothers the Englifh have heard this, 
and I come now to tell it to you ; for I am not 
afraid to dif charge you off this Land. 

This he faid was the Subftance of what he 
fpoke to the General, who made this Reply. 

Now my Child, I have heard your Speech : 
You fpoke firfl, but it is my Time to f peak now. 
Where is my Wampum that you took away, 

with 



( '7 ) 
with the Marks of Towns in it ? This Wam- 
pum I do not know, which you have dif charged 
me off the Land with : But you need not put 
your/elf to the Trouble of /peaking, for I will 
not hear you. I am not afraid of Flies, or Muf 
quitos,for Indians are fuch as thofe. I tell you, 
down that River I will go, and will build upon 
it, according to my Command. If the River was 
blocked up, I have Forces fufficient to burfl it 
open, and tread under my Feet all that /land in 
Oppo/ition, together with their Alliances ; /or 
my Force is as the Sand upon the Sea Shore : 
There/ore, here is your Wampum, I fling it at 
you. Child, you talk foolifk ; you /ay this Land 
belongs to you, but there is not the Black of my 
Nail yours. I faw that Land /ooner than you 
did, be/ore the Shannoahs and you were at War : 
Lead was the Man who went down, and took 
Poffe/fion 0/ that River : It is my Land, and I 
will have it, let who will /land-up /or, or /ay- 
again/l, it. F 11 buy and /ell with the Engliih, 
(mockingly). If People will be ruVd by me, 
they may expect Kindne/s, but not el/e. 

The Half-King told me he enquired of the 
General after two EnglifJtmen who were made 
Prifoners, and received this Anfwer. 

Child, You think it is a very great Hard/hip 
3 that 



( i8) 

that I made Prifoners of thofe two People at 
Venango. Dorit you concern your/elf with it : 
We took a7id carried them to Canada, to get in- 
telligence of what the Englifh were doing in 
Virginia. 

He informed me that they had built two 
Forts, one on Lake Erie, and another on French- 
Creek, near a fmall Lake about 1 5 Miles afun- 
der, and a large Waggon Road between : They 
are both built after the fame Model, but differ- 
ent in the Size ; that on the Lake the larger!:. 
He gave me a Plan of them, of his own draw- 
ing. 

The Indiaits enquired very particularly after 
their Brothers in Carolina Goal. 

They alfo afked what Sort of a Boy it was 
who was taken from the South-Branch ; for they 
were told by fome Indians, that a Party of 
French Indians had carried a white Boy by the 
Kufkufka Town, towards the Lakes. 

26th. We met in Council at the Long- 
Houfe, about 9 o'Clock, where I fpoke to them 
as follows. 

Brothers, I have called you together in Coun- 
cil, by Order of your Brother the Governor of 
Virginia, to acquaint you, that I am fent, with 
all pofjfible D if patch, to vifit, and deliver a Let- 
ter 



(19) 

ter to the French Commandant, of very great 
Importance to your Brothers the Englifh ; and 
I dare fay, to you their Friends and Allies. 

I was defired, Brothers, by your Brother the 
Governor, to call upon you, the Sachems of the 
Nations, to inform you of it, and to afk your 
Advice and Afjiflance to proceed the nearefl and 
befl Road to the French. You fee, Brothers, I 
have gotten thus far on my Journey. 

His Honour likewife defired me to apply to 
you for fome of your young Men, to conducl and 
provide Provifions for us on our Way ; and be 
a Safeguard againfl thofe French Indians who 
have taken up the Hatchet againfl us. I have 
fpoke this particularly to you, Brothers, becatcfe 
his Honour our Governor treats you as good 
Friends and Allies', and holds you in great 
Efleem. To confirm what I have faid, I give 
you this String of Wampum. 

After they had confidered for fome Time on 
the above Difcourse, the Half-King got up and 
fpoke. 

Now, my Brothers, in Regard to what my 
Brother the Governor has defired me, I rehirn 
you this Anfwer. 

I rely ttpon you as a Brother ought to do, as 
you fay we are Brothers and one People : We 

fhall 



(20 ) 

JJiall put Heart in Hand, and /peak to our Fa- 
thers the French concerning the Speech they 
made to me ; and you may depend that we will 
endeavour to be your Guard. 

Brother, as yotc have ajked my Advice, I hope 
you will be ruled by it, and Jlay till I ca7i pro- 
vide a Company to go with you. The French 
Speech-Belt is not here, I have it to go for to my 
hunting-Cab bin : Likewife the People whom I 
have ordered in, are not yet come, nor cannot 
till the third Night from this ; till which Time, 
Brother, I mufl beg you to flay. 

I intend to fend a Guard 0/* Mingo's, Shan- 
noahs, and Delawares, that our Brothers may 
fee the Love and Loyalty we bear them. 

As I had Orders to make all poffible Difpatch, 
and waiting here was very contrary to my Incli- 
nation, I thanked him in the moil fuitable Man- 
ner I could ; and told him, that my Bufinefs re- 
quired the greater!: Expedition, and would not 
admit of that Delay. He was not well pleafed 
that I mould offer to go before the Time he had 
appointed, and told me, that he could not con- 
fent to our going without a Guard, for Fear fome 
Accident mould befal us, and draw a Reflection 
upon him. Befides, fays he, this is a Matter of 
no fmali Moment, and mufl not be entered into 
without due Coniideration : For now I intend to 

deliver 



( *! ) 

deliver up the .Fmz^-Speech-Belt, and make 
the Shanoahs and Delawares do the fame. And 
accordingly he gave Orders to King Shingifs* 
who was prefent, to attend on Wednefday Night 
with the Wampum ; and two Men of their Na- 
tion to be in Readinefs to fet-out with us next 
Morning. As I found it was impoflible to get- 
off without affronting them in the moil egre- 
gious Manner, I confented to flay. 

I gave them back a String of Wampum which 
I met with at Mr. Freziers, and which they had 
fent with a Speech to his Honour the Governor, 
to inform him, that three Nations of French In- 
dians, viz. Chippoways, Ottoways, and Orun- 
daks, had taken - up the Hatchet againfl the 
EngliJJi ; and defired them to repeat it over 
again : But this they poftponed doing till they 
met in full Council with the Shannoahs and 
Delaware Chiefs. 

27 th. Runners were difpatched very early for 
the Shannoah Chiefs. The Half-King fet out 
himfelf to fetch the French- Speech-Belt from his 
hunting Cabbin. 

2%th. He returned this Evening, and came 
with Moiiokatoocha, and two other Sachems to 
my Tent ; and begged (as they had complied 
with his Honour the Governor's Requeft, in pro- 
viding Men, &c.) to know on what Bufinefs we 
were going to the French ? this was a Queftion 

I 



(22) 

I all along expected, and had provided as fat- 
isfactory Anfwers to, as I could ; which allayed 
their Curiofity a little. 

Monokatoocha informed me, that an Indian 
from Venango brought News, a few Days ago, 
that the French had called all the Mingo s, Del- 
awares, &c. together at that Place; and told 
them, that they intended to have been down the 
River this Fall, but the waters were growing- 
cold, and the Winter advancing, which obliged 
them to go into Quarters : But that they might 
arTuredly expect them in the Spring, with a far 
greater Number; and defired that they might 
be quite paffive, and not to intermeddle, unlefs 
they had a Mind to draw all their Force upon 
them : For that they expected to fight the Eng- 
UJJi three Years (as they fuppofed there would 
be fome Attempts made to flop them) in which 
Time they mould conquer : But that if they 
mould prove equally ftrong, they and the Eng- 
UJh, would join to cut them all off, and divide 
the Land between them : That though they had 
loft their General, and fome few of their Sol- 
diers, yet there were men enough to reinforce 
them, and make them Mafters of the Ohio, 

This Speech, he faid, was delivered to them 
by one Captain Joncaire their Interpreter in 
Chief, living at Venango, and a Man of Note in 
the Army. 



(2 3 ) 

29//Z. The Half-King and Monokatoocha, 
came very early, and begged me to ftay one Day 
more : For notwithstanding they had ufed all the 
Diligence in their Power, the Shanoah Chiefs 
had not brought the Wampum they ordered, but 
would certainly be in To-night ; if not, they 
would delay me no longer, but would fend it 
after us as foon as they arrived. When I found 
them fo preffing in their Requeft, and knew that 
returning of Wampum was the abolifhing of 
Agreements ; and giving this up, was fhaking- 
ofF all Dependance upon the French, I confented 
to rTay, as I believed an Offence offered at this 
Crifis, might be attended with greater ill Confe- 
rence, than another Day's Delay. They alfo 
informed me, that Shingifs could not get-in his 
Men; and was prevented from coming himfelf 
by his Wife's Sicknefs, (I believe, by Fear of 
the French) ; but that the Wampum of that Na- 
tion was lodged with Kujlaloga one of their 
Chiefs at Venango. 

In the Evening late they came again and ac- 
quainted me that the Shannoahs were not yet 
arrived, but that it mould not retard the Profe- 
cution of our Journey. He delivered in my 
Hearing, the Speeches that were to be made 
to the French by Jejkakake, one of their old 
Chiefs, which was giving -up the Belt the 
late Commandant had afked for, and repeat- 
ing 



(H) 

ing near the fame Speech he himfelf had done 
before. 

He alfo delivered a String of Wampum to 
this Chief, which was fent by King Skingifs, to 
be given to Ktiftaloga, with Orders to repair to 
the French, and deliver-up the Wampum. 

He like wife gave a very large String of black 
and white Wampum, which was to be fent up 
immediately to the Six Nations, if the French 
refufed to quit the Land at this Warning ; which 
was the third and laft Time, and was the Right 
of this Jefkakake to deliver. 

TptJu Laft Night the great Men arTembled to 
their Council-Houfe, to confult further about this 
Journey, and who were to go : The Refult of 
which was, that only three of their Chiefs, with 
one of their beffc Hunters, mould be our Con- 
voy. The Reafon they gave for not fending 
more, after what had been propofed at Council 
the 26th, was, that a greater Number might give 
the French Sufpicions of fome bad Defign, and 
caufe them to be treated rudely : But I rather 
think they could not get their Hunters in. 

We fet out about 9 o'Clock with the Half- 
King, Jejkakake, White Thunder, and the Hunt- 
er ; and travelled on the Road to Venango, 
where we arrived the 4th of December, without 
any Thing remarkable happening but a contin- 
ued Series of bad Weather. 

This 



(2 5 ) 

This is an old Indian Town, fituated at the 
Mouth of French Creek on Ohio ; and lies near 
N. about 60 Miles from the Loggs-Town, but 
more than 70 the Way we were obliged to go. 

We found the French Colours hoifted at a 
Houfe from which they had driven Mr. John 
Frazier, an Fngli/h Subject. I immediately re- 
paired to it, to know where the Commander re- 
futed. There were three Officers, one of whom, 
Capt. Jo7uaire, informed me, that he had the 
Command of the Ohio : But that there was a 
General Officer at the near Fort, where he ad- 
vifed me to apply for an Anfwer. He invited 
us to fup with them ; and treated us with the 
greateft Complaifance. 

The Wine, as they dofed themfelves pretty 
plentifully with it, foon banimed the Restraint 
which at firft appeared in their Converfation ; 
and gave a Licence to their Tongues to reveal 
their Sentiments more freely. 

They told me, That it was their abfolute De- 
sign to take PofTeiTion of the Ohio, and by 
G — they would do it : For that altho' they were 
fenfible the Fngli/h could raife two Men for 
their one ; yet they knew, their Motions were 
too flow and dilatory to prevent any Undertak- 
ing of theirs. They pretend to have an un- 
doubted Right to the River, from a Difcovery 
made by one La Salle 60 Years ago ; and the 
4 Rife 



( 26) 

Rife of this Expedition is, to prevent our fettling 
on the River or Waters of it, as they had heard 
of fome Families moving-out in Order thereto. 
From the beft Intelligence I could get, there 
have been 1 500 Men on this Side Ontario Lake: 
But upon the Death of the General all were re- 
called to about 6 or 700, who were left to gar- 
rifon four Forts, 150 or there abouts in each, 
The firft of them is on Erenc/i-Creek, near a 
fmall Lake, about 60 miles from Venango, near 
N.N.W. the next lies on Lake Erie, where the 
greater Part of their Stores are kept, about 15 
Miles from the other. From this it is 1 20 Miles 
to the carrying Place, at the Falls of Lake Erie, 
where there is a fmall Fort ; which they lodge 
their Goods at, in bringing them from Montreal, 
the Place whence all their Stores come from. 
The next Fort lies about 20 Miles from this, on 
Ontario Lake. Between this Fort and Mon- 
treal there are three others, the firft of which is 
near oppofite to the EngliJJt Fort Ofwego. From 
the Fort on Lake Erie to Montreal is about 600 
Miles, which they fay requires no more, if good 
Weather, than four Weeks Voyage, if they go 
in Barks or large VefTels, fo that they may crofs 
the Lake : But if they come in Canoes it will 
require 5 or 6 Weeks, for they are obliged to 
keep under the Shore. 

§fk M Rain'd exceffively all Day, which pre- 
vented 



(27) 
vented our Travelling. Capt. Joncaire fent for 
the Half-King, as he had but juft heard that he 
came with me : He affected to be much con- 
cerned that I did not make free to bring them 
in before. I excufed it in the beft manner I 
was capable, and told him, I did not think their 
Company agreeable, as I had heard him fay a 
good deal in Difpraife of Indians in general. 
But another Motive prevented me from bring- 
ing them into his Company: I knew he was 
Interpreter, and a Perfon of very great Influence 
among the Indians, and had lately ufed all pof- 
fible Means to draw them over to their Intereft; 
therefore I was defirous of giving no Opportu- 
nity that could be avoided. 

When they came in, there was great Pleafure 
exprerTed at feeing them. He wondred how 
they could be fo near without coming to vifit 
him ; made feveral trifling Prefents ; and ap- 
plied Loquor fo fail, that they were foon ren- 
dred incapable of the Bufinefs they came about, 
notwithstanding the Caution which was given. 

6tk. The Half-King came to my Tent, quite 
fober, and infifted very much that I mould flay 
and hear what he had to fay to the French. I 
fain would have prevented his fpeaking any 
Thing, till he came to the Commandant; but 
could not prevail. He told me, that at this 
Place a Council Fire was kindled, where all their 

Bufinefs 



(28) 

Bufinefs with thefe People was to be tranfacted ; 
and that the Management of the Indian Affairs 
was left folely to Monfieur Joncaire. As I was 
defirous of knowing the Ifliie of this, I agreed 
to ftay : But fent our Horfes a little Way up 
French Creek, to raft over and encamp ; which 
I knew would make it near Night. 

About 10 o'Clock they met in Council. The 
King fpoke much the fame as he had before done 
to the General ; and offered the French Speech- 
Belt which had before been demanded, with the 
Marks of four Towns on it, which Monfieur 
Joncaire refufed to receive ; but defired him to 
carry it to the Fort to the Commander. 

jtk. Monfieur La Force, Commiflary of the 
French Stores, and three other Soldiers came 
over to accompany us up. We found it ex- 
tremely difficult to get the Indians off To-day, 
as every Stratagem had been ufed to prevent 
their going-up with me. I had laft Night left 
John Davifon (the Indian Interpreter whom I 
brought with me from Town, and ftrictly charged 
him not to be out of their Company, as I could 
not get them over to my Tent ; for they had 
fome Bufinefs with Kujlaloga, chiefly to know 
the Reafon why he did not deliver up the French 
Belt which he had in Keeping : But I was 
obliged to fend Mr. Gift over To-day to fetch 
them ; which he did with great Perfuafion. 

At 



(29) 

At 1 1 o'Clock we fet out for the Fort, and 
were prevented from arriving there till the nth 
by exceflive Rains, Snows, and bad Travelling, 
through many Mires and Swamps. Thefe we 
were obliged to pafs, to avoid crofting the Creek, 
which was impoffible, either by fording or raft- 
ing, the Water was fo high and rapid. 

We paired over much good Land fince we left 
Venango, and through feveral extenfive and very 
rich Meadows ; one of which I believe was near 
four Miles in Length, and considerably wide in 
fome Places. 

\2th, I prepared early to wait upon the Com- 
mander, and was received and conducted to him 
by the fecond Officer in Command. I ac- 
quainted him with my Bufinefs, and offered my 
Commiffion and Letter : Both of which he de- 
fired me to keep till the Arrival of Monfieur Ri- 
ft arti, Captain, at the next Fort, who was fent 
for and expected every Hour. 

This Commander is a Knight of the military 
Order of St. Lewis, and named Legardeur de 
St. Piere. He is an elderly Gentleman, and has . 
much the Air of a Soldier. He was fent over 
to take the Command, immediately upon the 
Death of the late General, and arrived here 
about feven Days before me. 

At 2 o'Clock the Gentleman who was fent for 
arrived, when I offered the Letter, &c. again ; 

which 



(3°) 

which they received, and adjourned into a pri- 
vate Apartment for the Captain to tranflate, who 
underftood a little Engli/Ju After he had done 
it, the Commander defired I would walk-in, and 
bring my Interpreter to perufe and correct it; 
which I did. 

i^th. The chief Officers retired, to hold a 
Council of War ; which gave me an Opportu- 
nity of taking the Dimenfions of the Fort, and 
making what Obfervations I could. 

It is fituated on the South, or Weft Fork of 
French Creek, near the Water ; and is almoft 
furrounded by the Creek, and a fmall Branch of 
it which forms a Kind of Ifland. Four Houfes 
compofe the Sides. The Baftions are made of 
Piles driven into the Ground, ftanding more than 
1 2 Feet above it, and iharp at Top : With Port- 
Holes cut for Cannon, and Loop-Holes for the 
fmall Arms to fire through. There are eight 
6 lb. Pieces mounted, in each Baftion ; and one 
Piece of four pound before the Gate. In the 
Baftions are a Guard-Houfe, Chapel, Doctor's 
Lodging, and the Commander's private Store : 
Round which are laid Plat-Forms for the Can- 
non and Men to ftand on. There are feveral 
Barracks without the Fort, for the Soldiers 
Dwelling ; covered, fome with Bark, and fome 
with Boards, made chiefly of Loggs. There 
are alfo feveral other Houfes, fuch as Stables, 
Smiths Shop, &c. 



(3i ) 

I could get no certain Account of the Num- 
ber of Men here : But according to the beft 
Judgment I could form, there are an Hundred 
exclusive of Officers, of which there are many. 
I alfo gave Orders to the People who were with 
me, to take an exact Account of the Canoes 
which were hauled-up to convey their Forces 
down in the Spring. This they did, and told 
50 of Birch Bark, and 170 of Pine; befides 
many others which were blocked-out, in Readi- 
nefs to make. 

i^tk. As the Snow encreafed very fail, and 
our Horfes daily became weaker, I fent them off 
unloaded ; under the Care of Barnaby Ctcrrin 
and two others, to make all convenient Difpatch 
to Venango, and there wait our Arrival, if there 
was a Profpecl: of the Rivers freezing : If not, 
then to continue down to Shanapiris Town, at 
the Forks of Ohio, and there to wait till we 
came to crofs Aliganey; intending myfelf to go 
down by Water, as I had the Offer of a Canoe 
or two. 

As I found many Plots concerted to retard 
the Indians Buiinefs, and prevent their return- 
ing with me ; I endeavour'd all that lay in my 
Power to frustrate their Schemes, and hurry 
them on to execute their intended Defign. They 
accordingly prefTed for Admittance this Even- 
ing, which at Length was granted them, pri- 
vately, 



(30 
vately, with the Commander and one or two 
other Officers. The Half-King told me, that he 
offer'd the Wampum to the Commander, who 
evaded taking it, and made many fair Promifes 
of Love and Friendihip ; faid he wanted to live 
in Peace, and trade amicably with them, as a 
Proof of which he would fend fome Goods im- 
mediately down to the Loggs-T own for them. 
But I rather think the Defign of that is, to bring 
away all our ftraggling Traders they meet with, 
as I privately understood they intended to carry 
an Officer, &c. with them. And what rather 
confirms this Opinion, I was enquiring of the 
Commander, by what Authority he had made 
Prifoners of feveral of our Englijh Subjects. 
He told me that the Country belong'd to them; 
that, no Englifhman had a Right to trade upon 
thofe Waters ; and that he had Orders to make 
every Perfon Prifoner who attempted it on the 
Ohio, or the Waters of it. 

I enquir'd of Capt. Riparti about the Boy 
who was carried by this Place, as it was done 
while the Command devolved on him, between 
the Death of the late General, and the Arrival 
of the prefent. He acknowledged, that a Boy 
had been carried paft ; and that the Indians had 
two or three white Men's Scalps, (I was told by 
fome of the Indians at Venango Eight) but pre- 
tended to have forgotten the Name of the Place 

which 



( 33 ) 
which the Boy came from, and all the Particu- 
lar Fadts, though he had queftion'd him for fome 
Hours, as they were carrying him paft. I like- 
wife enquired what they had done with John 
Trotter and James Mac Clocklan, two Penfyl- 
vania Traders, whom they had taken, with all 
their Goods. They told me, that they had been 
fent to Canada, but were now returned Home. 

This Evening I received an Anfwer to his 
Honour the Governor's Letter from the Com- 
mandant. 

i^t/i, The Commandant ordered a plentiful 
Store of Liquor, Provifion, &c. to be put on 
Board our Canoe ; and appeared to be extremely 
complaifant, though he was exerting every Arti- 
fice which he could invent to fet our own In- 
dians at Variance with us, to prevent their go- 
ing 'till after our Departure. Prefents, Rewards, 
and every Thing which could be fuggefted by 

him or his Officers. 1 can't fay that ever in 

my Life I fuffer'd fo much Anxiety as I did in 
this Affair : I faw that every Stratagem which 
the moft fruitful Brain could invent, was prac- 
tifed, to win the Half- King to their Intereft; 
and that leaving him here was giving them the 

Opportunity they aimed at, I went to the 

Half-King and prefs'd him in the ftrongeft 

Terms to go : He told me the Commandant 

would not difcharge him 'till the Morning. I 

5 then 



(34) 

then went to the Commandant, and defired him 
to do their Bufinefs; and complain'd of ill Treat- 
ment : For keeping them, as they were Part of 
my Company, was detaining me. This he prom- 
ifed not to do, but to forward my Journey as 
much as he could. He protefted he did not keep 
them, but was ignorant of the Caufe of their 

Stay ; though I foon found it out : He had 

promifed them a prefent of Guns, &c. if they 
would wait 'till the Morning. 

As I was very much prefs'd, by the Indians, 
to wait this Day for them, I confented, on a 
Promife, That nothing mould hinder them in 
the Morning. 

1 6tk. The French were not flack in their In- 
ventions to keep the Indians this Day alfo : But 
as they were obligated, according to Promife, 
to give the Prefent, they then endeavoured to 
try the Power of Liquor ; which I doubt not 
would have prevailed at any other Time than 
this : But I urged and infifted with the King fo 
clofely upon his Word, that he refrained, and 
fet-off with us as he had engaged. 

We had a tedious and very fatiguing PafTage 
down the Creek. Several Times we had like 
to h£ve been ftaved againfl: Rocks ; and many 
Times were obliged all Hands to get-out and re- 
main in the Water Half an Hour or more, get- 
ting over the Shoals. At one Place the Ice had 

lodged 



(35) 
lodged and made it impafTable by Water; there- 
fore we were obliged to carry our Canoe acrofs 
a Neck of Land, a Quarter of a Mile over. 
We did not reach Venango, till the 22d, where 
we met with our Horfes. 

This Creek is extremely crooked, I dare fay 
the Diftance between the Fort and Venango 
can't be lefs than 130 Miles, to follow the Me- 
anders. 

23^, When I got Things ready to fet-ofF, I 
fent for the Half-King, to know whether he in- 
tended to go with us, or by Water. He told 
me that White-Thunder had hurt himfelf much, 
and was fick and unable to walk ; therefore he 
was obliged to carry him down in a Canoe. As 
I found he intended to ftay here a Day or two, 
and knew that Monlieur Joncaire would employ 
every Scheme to fet him againft the Englifli as 
he had before done; I told him I hoped he 
would guard againft his Flattery, and let no fine 
Speeches influence him in their Favour. He 
defired I might not be concerned, for he knew 
the French too well, for any Thing to engage 
him in their Behalf; and that though he could 
not go down with us, he yet would endeavour 
to meet at the Forks with Jofeph Campbell, to 
deliver a Speech for me to carry to his Honour 
the Governor. He told me he would order the 
young Hunter to attend us, and get Provifion, 
&c. if wanted. 

Our 



(3M 

Our Horfes were now fo weak and feeble, and 
the Baggage fo heavy (as we were obliged to 
provide all the NecefTaries which the Journey- 
would require) that we doubted much their per- 
forming it : therefore myfelf and others (except 
the Drivers who were obliged to ride) gave-up 
our Horfes for Packs, to afTifr. along with the 
Baggage. I put myfelf in an Indian walking 
Drefs, and continued with them three Days, till 
I found there was no Probability of their getting 
home in any reafonable Time. The Horfes grew 
lefs able to travel every Day ; the Cold increafed 
very fall: ; and the Roads were becoming much 
worfe by a deep Snow, continually freezing: 
Therefore as I was uneafy to get back, to make 
Report of my Proceedings to his Honour the 
Governor, I determined to profecute my Jour- 
ney the nearer!: Way through the Woods, on 
Foot. 

Accordingly I left Mr. Vanbraam in Charge 
of our Baggage ; with Money and Directions, 
to provide NecefTaries from Place to Place for 
themfelves and Horfes, and to make the moft 
convenient Dipatch in Travelling. 

I took my necefTary Papers; pulled-off my 
Cloaths ; and tied myfelf up in a Match Coat. 
Then with Gun in Hand and Pack at my Back, 
in which were my Papers and Provifions, I fet- 
out with Mr. Gi/l, fitted in the fame Manner, 

on 



(37 ) 
on Wednefday the 26th. The Day following, 
juft after we had patted a Place called the Mur~ 
dermg-Town (where we intended to quit the 
Path, and fteer acrofs the Country for Shanna- 
pins Town) we fell-in with a Party of French 
Indians, who had lain in Wait for us. One of 
them fired at Mr. Gift or me, not 15 Steps off, 
but fortunately miffed. We took this Fellow 
into Cuftody, and kept him till about 9 o'Clock 
at Night : Then let him go, and walked all the 
remaining Part of the Night without making 
any Stop ; that we might get the Start, fo far, as 
to be out of the Reach of their Purfuit the next 
Day, fince we were well aflured they would 
follow our Trad as foon as it was light. The 
next Day we continued travelling till quite dark, 
and got to the River about two Miles above 
Shannapins. We expected to have found the 
River frozen, but it was not, only about 50 
Yards from each Shore : The Ice I fuppofe had 
broken up above, for it was driving in vaft 
Quantities. 

There was no Way for getting over but on a 
Raft : Which we fet about, with but one poor 
Hatchet, and fmifhed juft after Sun-fetting. This 
was a whole Day's Work : we next got it 
launched, and went on Board of it : Then fet- 
ofT. But before wewere Half Way over, we 
were jammed in the Ice, in fuch a Manner that 

we 



(38) 

we expected every Moment our Raft to fink, 
and ourfelves to perifh. I put-out my fetting 
Pole to try to flop the Raft, that the Ice might 
pafs by ; when the Rapidity of the Stream threw 
it with fo much Violence againft the Pole, that 
it jirked me out into ten Feet Water: But I for- 
tunately faved myfelf by catching hold of one 
of the Raft Logs. Not with landing all our Ef- 
forts we could not get the Raft to either Shore ; 
but were obliged, as we' were near an Ifland, to 
quit our Raft and make to it. 

The Cold was fo extremely fevere, that Mr. 
Gift had all his Fingers, and fome of his Toes 
frozen ; and the Water was fhut up fo hard, that 
we found no Difficulty in getting-ofF the Ifland, 
on the Ice, in the Morning, and went to Mr. 
Fraziers. We met here with 20 Warriors who 
were going to the Southward to War : But 
coming to a Place upon the Head of the great 
Kunnaway, where they found feven People 
killed and fcalped (all but one Woman with 
very light Hair) they turned about and ran back 
for Fear the Inhabitants mould rife and take 
them as the Authors of the Murder. They re- 
port that the Bodies were lying about the Houfe, 
and fome of them much torn and eaten by Hogs: 
By the Marks which were left, they fay they 
were French Indians of the Ottoway Nation, 
&c. who did it. 

As 



(39) 

As we intended to take Horfes here, and it 
required fome Time to find them, I went-up 
about three Miles to the Mouth of Yaugkyaugk- 
gane to vifit Queen Alliquippa, who had ex- 
preiTed great Concern that we pafTed her in go- 
ing to the Fort. I made her a Prefent of a 
Matchcoat and a Bottle of Rum ; which latter 
was thought much the beft Prefent of the two. 

Tuefday the lft Day of January, we left Mr. 
Fraziers Houfe, and arrived at Mr. Gifts at 
Monongahela the 2d, where I bought a Horfe, 
Saddle, &c. the 6th we met 17 Horfes loaded 
with Materials and Stores for a Fort at the Forks 
of Ohio, and the Day after fome Families going- 
out to fettle : This Day we arrived at Wills 
Creek, after as fatiguing a Journey as it is poffi- 
ble to conceive, rendered fo by exceflive bad 
Weather. From the firft Day of December to 
the 15th, there was but one Day on which it did 
not rain or fnow inceflantly; and throughout the 
whole Journey we met-with nothing but one 
continued Series of cold wet Weather, which 
occafioned very uncomfortable Lodgings ; es- 
pecially after we had quitted our Tent, which 
was fome Screen from the Inclemency of it. 

On the 1 lth I got to Belvoir; where I flopped 
one Day to take necefTary Reft ; and then fet out, 
and arrived in William/burgh the 16th; when 
I waited upon his Honour the Governor with 

the 



(40 ) 
the Letter I had brought from the French Com- 
mandant ; and to give an Account of the Suc- 
cefs of my Proceedings. This I beg Leave to 
do by offering the foregoing Narrative as it con- 
tains the moil remarkable Occurrences which 
happened in my Journey. 

I hope what has been faid will be fufficient to 
make your Honour fatisfled with my Conduct ; 
for that was my Aim in undertaking the Jour- 
ney, and chief Study throughout the Profecu- 
tion of it. 

With the Hope of doing it, I, with infinite 
Pleafure fubfcribe myfelf, 

Your Honour's moft Obedient, 

And very humble Servant, 

G. Wajhington. 



COPT 



(4i ) 



COPT of his Honour the Governor's 
Letter, to the Commandant of the French 
Forces on the Ohio, fent by Major Walh- 
ington. 

SIR, 

THE Lands upon the River Ohio, in the 
Weftern Parts of the Colony of Virginia, 
are fo notorioufly known to be the Property of 
the Crown of Great-Britain ; that it is a Mat- 
ter of equal Concern and Surprize to me, to 
hear that a Body of French Forces are erecting 
FortrerTes, and making Settlements upon that 
River, within his Majefty's Dominions. 

The many and repeated Complaints I have 
received of thefe Acts of Hostility, lay me un- 
der the Neceffity, of fending, in the Name of the 
King my Mailer, the Bearer hereof, George 
Wa/hington, Efq; one of the Adjutants Gen- 
eral of the Forces of this Dominion ; to com- 
plain to you of the Encroachments thus made, 
6 and 



(42 ) 

and of the Injuries done to the Subjects of 
Great-Britain, in open Violation of the Law of 
Nations, and the Treaties now* fubfifting be- 
tween the two Crowns. 

If thefe Facts are true, and you mall think fit 
to juftify your Proceedings, I muft defire you 
to acquaint me, by whofe Authority and Inftruc- 
tions you have lately marched from Canada, 
with an armed Force; and invaded the King of 
Great- Britain s Territories, in the Manner com- 
plained of? that according to the Purport and 
Refolution of your Anfwer, I may act agreeably 
to the Commiffion I am honoured with, from the 
King my Matter. 

However Sir, in Obedience to my Inftruc- 
tions, it becomes my Duty to require your peace- 
able Departure ; and that you would forbear 
profecuting a Purpofe fo interruptive of the 
Harmony and good Underftanding, which his 
Majefty is defirous to continue and cultivate 
with the mod Chriftian King. 

I perfuade myfelf you will receive and 
entertain Major Wafhington with the Can- 
dour and Politenefs natural to your Nation ; 
and it will give me the greateft Satisfaction, 
if you return him with an Anfwer fuitable to 

my 



(43) 
my Wifhes for a very long and lairing Peace 
between us. I have the Honour to fubfcribe 
myfelf, 

S IR, 

Your mofl obedient. 

Humble Servant, 

Robert Dinwiddie. 



William/burgh, in Virginia, 1 
Oftober 31ft, 1753. J 



TRANS- 



( 44) 




TRANSLATION of a Letter from 
Mr. Legardeur de St. Piere, a principal 
French Officer, in Anfwer to the Govern- 
or s Letter. 

SIR, 

AS I have the Honour of commanding here 
in Chief, Mr. Wajliington delivered me 
the Letter which you wrote to the Commandant 
of the French Troops. 

I mould have been glad that you had given 
him Orders, or that he had been inclined to pro- 
ceed to Canada, to fee our General * to whom it 
better belongs than to me to fet-forth the Evi- 
dence and Reality of the Rights of the King, 
my Mafter, upon the Lands iituated along the 
River Ohio, and to contefl: the Pretenfions of the 
King of Great-Britain thereto. 

I mail tranfmit your Letter to the Marquis 
Duguifne. His Anfwer will be a Law to me ; 

and 



(45) 
and if he fhall order me to communicate it to 
you, Sir, you may be aflured I fhall not fail to 
difpatch it to you forthwith. 

As to the Summons you fend me to retire, I 
do not think myfelf obliged to obey it. What- 
ever may be your Inrtructions, I am here by 
Virtue of the Orders of my General; and I in- 
treat you, Sir, not to doubt one Moment, but 
that I am determin'd to conform myfelf to them 
with all the Exactnefs and Refolution which can 
be expected from the bert Officer. 

I don't know that in the Progrefs of this Cam- 
paign any Thing has pa/Ted which can be re- 
puted an Act of Hoftility, or that is contrary 
to the Treaties which fubiift between the two 
Crowns; the Continuation whereof as much in- 
terests, and is as pleafing to us, as the Englifh* 
Had you been pleafed, Sir, to have defcended to 
particularize the Facts which occasioned your 
Complaint, I mould have had the Honour of 
anfwering you in the fulleft, and, I am per- 
fuaded, moft fatisfactory Manner. 

I made it my particular Care to receive Mr. 
Wajhington, with a Distinction fuitable to your 
Dignity, as well as his own Quality and great 
Merit. I flatter mvfelf that he will do me this 

Justice 



(46) 
Juftice before you, Sir ; and that he will fignify 
to you in the Manner I do myfelf, the profound 
Refpecl: with which I am, 

SIR, 

Your mofl humble, and 
raoft obedient Servant, 

Legardeur de St. Piere. 



From the Fort fur La Riviere au Beuf, 
the i$th 0/" December 1753. 









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